Graduate Courses

We currently offer three, 3 graduate credit courses in infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) through the School of Nursing.  These are asynchronous online courses, open to University of Washington graduate students (and eligible seniors) across campus as well as community-based non-matriculated students.

Enrolled students come from multiple disciplines, including nursing, social work, education, psychology, medicine, nutrition, speech language and occupational therapy.

IECMH 548 Frameworks in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (Spring Quarter)

Develop foundational knowledge in the growing field of IECMH, including typical and atypical child development and risk and resiliency factors that shape life span trajectories. Course will focus on diversity informed principles of practice, examine cultural perspectives in childrearing, and explore relationship-based, dyadic intervention programs.

IECMH 555 Relationship-Based Mental Health Assessment of Young Children (Autumn Quarter)

Use a diversity and developmentally-informed lens to gain a foundation in observation, assessment, and diagnosis of early childhood social, emotional and behavioral problems (birth – five). Special topics include synchrony, withdrawal, trauma, emotional regulation, and post-partum distress.

IECMH 537 Attachment and Psychopathology: Parents & Infants (Winter Quarter)

Learn about the intergenerational transmission of caregiver-child relationship dynamics and implications for functioning at all ages. The course takes a strengths-based approach to understanding that strategies individuals learned early in life to cope with adversity maturity can be maladaptive later in life or in new contexts.

Undergraduate Courses

We currently offer one 5 credit course in infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH). A 5-credit course on early childhood trauma is pending approval/under development for 2021-2022. Both are asynchronous online courses, open to University of Washington undergraduate students, graduate students, and community-based non-matriculated students.

Enrolled students come from multiple disciplines across campus, including nursing, social work, education, psychology, medicine, nutrition, speech language and occupational therapy.

NSG 432: Infants and Toddlers: Risk and Resilience (Autumn, Winter and Spring Quarter)

In this course we explore risk and resilience factors that support and impede infants, young children, and caregivers. We examine the impact of stress on early development as well as relationship-based strategies to promote the development and well-being of young children and their caregivers. Course content includes a brief introduction to early brain development, attachment theory, and application of infant observation and reflective practice skills.

IECMH 433 Trauma in Early Childhood: Resilience in Relationship (pending approval and development)

This course focuses on early childhood trauma and on resilience through relationships. Childhood trauma reverberates through families and across generations. Early care, education, and health systems shape trauma-exposed families’ experience and access to resources. Using an infant and early childhood mental health lens, we explore adversity, resilience, historical trauma, and trauma-informed practice.

Registration Links

If interested in learning more about courses, please contact the Faculty Lead on IECMH, Dr. Colleen O. Dillon (codillon@uw.edu).

If interested in learning more enrolling as a non-enrolled UW student, please investigate non-matriculated status.

Teaching Faculty